[Twenty-Nine] Military Service Certificate

  "Jiuer, how did you get here? I'll send you back..." Xiao Wu couldn't bear to let Han Jiuer stand in the rain for long and was also worried about her traveling alone, which wasn't safe.

  "The steward is waiting for me on the official road, and my brother can send me there." Han Jiu'er had never felt such happiness and satisfaction, finally taking out the words that had been in her heart all along, no matter what happened in this life or the next, she was his person.

  "Eldest brother, you can send off Ninth Sister, I'll stay here and keep watch." Yue Chu couldn't help but facilitate the two of them, shouting out loud, but inadvertently revealing that she had overheard their conversation.

  "This girl......" Xiao Wu's face turned bright red, and he felt a sense of guilt as if he had been caught stealing.

  Han Jiu'er's face was also flushed with embarrassment, but she was calmer than Xiao Wu, and turned to smile at Yue Chu: "Younger sister, we'll meet again."

  It's strange to say, the continuous small rain stopped at that moment, and the long-lost sun peeked out from the clouds. A colorful rainbow appeared on the horizon, and the three figures on the lush green earth basked in the fresh sunlight, with a beautiful mood that had never been experienced before.

  When Xiao Wu sent Han Jiu'er back, he saw Yue Chu, who was left on the spot, revealing a strange smile, and couldn't help but stutter: "Younger sister, help your brother with one thing, today's matter, absolutely must not tell anyone."

  "I know, especially you, Auntie, right?" Yue Chu blinked slyly and proposed a condition, "It's not impossible, but you have to agree to three things for me."

  "As long as I can do it, I will definitely do it!" Xiao Wu felt no guilt towards heaven and earth, but was afraid that his sister's unbridled mouth would tarnish Han Jiu'er's reputation, so he didn't dare to respond.

  "Brother Wu, how could little sister make things difficult for you? These are all easy things for you to do." Yue Chu grinned mischievously. "The first thing is to tell me in detail about what's going on between you and Jiu'er. The second thing is that I want to learn your Bear Form Scatter Hand technique. As for the third thing, it'll be kept there for now, and I'll tell you when I think of it."

  "Huh?" Xiao Wu scratched his head again. The first thing was naturally not difficult, he and Han Jiu'er were open and honest with each other, without any secrets that couldn't be told to others. The second thing was a bit tricky, Xiong's moves were fierce and deadly, one move could kill, and as a girl, she hadn't learned how to be gentle. And then there was the third thing that he hadn't thought of yet, heaven knows what other crazy ideas Xiao Nizi would come up with in the future?

  "Do we need to consider it? Little sister also needs to consider it, whether to tell Auntie first or Big Mother first." Yue Chu threatened intentionally.

  "Alright, alright, I'll agree then!" Yue Fei had no choice but to nod repeatedly.

  In the summer and autumn of Xuanhe 6th year, heavy rains frequently fell, causing floods in Hebei, Jingdong and other places, destroying houses and fields, and many people lost their homes. Tangyin County was no exception, and although the residential areas in Xiaotang Village were spared due to their high terrain, the crops were destroyed, and the Yue family's life was also temporarily plunged into difficulties. The Wanggui and Xuqing families in the same county were not much better off, and only Zhang Xian, who lived here alone and had no family ties, was unaffected.

  As winter approached, the days became even more difficult. The four brothers gathered at Yue's house to discuss a way out.

  At this time, Xiao Wu had completed his mourning period. The hidden ambition that had been suppressed for a long time burst out again: "Why not join the army?"

  Wang Gui, Xu Qing and Zhang Xian exchanged a glance, burst out laughing together. Heroes see things similarly: "Exactly what I was thinking!"

  Next, the four brothers discussed the specific details of joining the army. It turned out that every time a disaster occurred in the imperial court, they would recruit soldiers on a large scale in the disaster area, and if they did not recruit them as soldiers, they would be afraid of becoming thieves. Xiangzhou also had a place to join the army, which was "raising the recruitment flag, there will naturally be people to eat".

  "Brother Xian just take charge!" Although Wang Gui was the oldest in age, he had taken Xiao Wu as the leader since the "Dare to Fight" days.

  "Listen to your brother!" Xu Qing and Zhang Xian didn't say another word, only Xiao Wu looked around cautiously.

  "Natural casting 'useful officers'!" Little Wu vaguely restored his former style as a officer of the Yue team.

  During the Song Dynasty, recruitment was also known as "Zhuo Ci". This was because soldiers had to get tattoos on their faces, arms or hands with their unit number and personal identity. However, facial tattoos were a shameful mark that only convicts, slaves, officials, and soldiers had. The purpose was to prevent desertion, once tattooed, it was difficult to erase for life. Therefore, being a soldier in the Song Dynasty was not a glorious thing, but rather a humble profession, known as "Xing Wu Jian Li". Xiao Wu's recruits were exempt from tattoos because they were not part of the formal military system. However, if they formally joined the army, it was unavoidable. But if the recruit had exceptional martial arts skills and joined the higher-level "Yong Yong Shi", not only could he avoid facial tattoos, but his salary would also be higher.

  The four brothers made a decision and informed their respective families. Mrs. Yao, unlike her late husband, strongly supported Wu Lang's decision, but she was envious of Xiao Liu and Yue Chu, who were reluctant to part with them. One hoped to grow up soon, the other wished to become a man, just to follow Fifth Brother to war together.

  On the day of departure, early in the morning, the four brothers gathered on the official road. They all wore short jackets made of gray linen with a horizontal belt to tie their hair, and only had different colored strips tied around their heads, called "mopai", which was exclusively used by warriors. The red scarf used by civilians also originated from this. Looking at each other's mounts, Xiao Wu rode a white horse, Wang Gui rode a yellow horse, Zhang Xian rode a black horse, and Xu Qing rode a jujube red horse, matching his red face perfectly. Everyone had bows and arrows on their backs, with long weapons hung on the winning hook in front of the saddle, except for Xu Qing's double hammers which were hung on both sides of the back of the saddle.

  The four brothers looked at each other with a smile, their spirits high and vigorous. On the official road, they galloped on horseback in a competitive rush, heading towards the prefecture's An Yang County. In just one hour, they arrived at the prefectural city.

  Once again setting foot on familiar streets, Xiao Wu's heart was filled with a mix of emotions. Although Tongyin and Anyang were not far apart, he had not been there for many years. The reason for this was self-evident, but he couldn't help thinking of that person who was both near and yet so far away, leaving him feeling lost and disoriented.

  Suddenly, the sound of gongs and drums was heard from afar, making a lively noise. The youngest, Xu Qing, exclaimed: "Brothers, what a coincidence! We've just arrived, and the recruitment drum has already sounded."

  Four brothers followed the sound and left, it was a newly opened small school field. Outside the gate, a large military flag was erected high, under the flag was an earthen platform, on which a large case was placed, behind the case sat a general with lazy eyebrows and eyes, a team of equally sluggish soldiers stood guard below the platform. The surrounding crowd was bustling, but it was like a fair, mostly refugees with vegetable-colored faces, not to mention idle rascals, there were also four brothers who were robust and heroic.

  A soldier carrying a gong walked onto the stage, first striking the gong to signal quiet below, then shouting: "The commander has an order, those who are going to the infantry department go through the right side of the gate, those who are going to the cavalry department go through the left side of the gate, don't push, one by one."

  As soon as the voice fell, more than half of the recruits outside the gate squeezed to the right side of the gate. After all, the requirements for infantry are relatively low. The other small half lined up on the left side of the gate, some with horses and others on foot. The four brothers naturally wanted to be cavalry, so they dismounted and led their horses, lining up at the very back.

  After a hubbub of half a day, Fang finally arrived at the fourth brother's barracks. The so-called "passing the measuring rod" was the first pass for the Song army to recruit soldiers, that is, using a wooden measuring rod with inches marked on it to measure the height of the recruits, and only those who reached the prescribed size could pass through.

  Wang Gui was the shortest, at 5 feet 5 inches. Xiao Wu was 5 feet 6 inches, an inch taller than when he got married. Xu Qing was the same height as Xiao Wu, also 5 feet 6 inches. Zhang Xian was the tallest, at 5 feet 7 inches. The "seven-foot man" of ancient times referred to the measurement during the Qin and Han dynasties, equivalent to 5 feet 5 inches in the Song dynasty. All four brothers exceeded the standard of a "seven-foot man".

  Having passed the first test, the four brothers entered a small school field. Although it was severe winter, inside it was hot and steamy. Each of the recruits were running and jumping around, some showing off their abilities, taking off their outer coats, wearing only their undershirts, revealing their strong muscles, shouting loudly with energy.

  A local official with a yawn walked over and asked: "These few men, which army are they going to join?"

  "'Utility man'!" Little Wu replied proudly.

  "Now it's really strange, there are several more 'effective scholars'! Chen Jiao Tou, hurry up and examine them!" The little official exclaimed in surprise, apparently those who dared to take the "effective scholar" exam were not many.

  "Those who want to eat the efficacious rice, come this way!" A loud and clear voice came from the other end of the school field, more than a hundred steps away. This person's voice was full of energy.

  Four brothers, one mind. This Chen Jiaotou is a man of goods, busy pulling the horse to bypass a group of soldiers, arrived at the other end, it was another world, a wide and spacious horse racing track, trenches and earth mounds scattered among them, there were more than ten cavalrymen galloping and testing, originally here to train cavalry.

  By the side stood a middle-aged man in military uniform, holding a large spear, with a clear face, short beard and majestic air, who should be Chen Jiao. He stared at the test riders in the arena and ordered without looking at the four brothers: "You four also go for a lap."

  The four brothers did not dare to slack off, turned over and mounted their horses, got on the horse racing track, and the advantages of bringing their own horses became apparent. The four men easily crossed the trenches, jumped over the earth piles, rode a circle, and then joined a group of recruits who had finished trying out horses.

  "Officer Yue! Officer Yue!" Several voices shouted out from the crowd, all of them sounding extremely excited.

  "Ah? Is it you guys..." Xiaowu looked over in surprise, and it was actually Zhao Hu Zi and several other "Dare to Fight Warriors" old comrades. His heart warmed up, what a coincidence?

  "Brother, Zhao and the others have long wanted to follow you. They made an appointment with Wang Da Ge and deliberately gave you a surprise." Xu Qing squeezed his eyes and solved Xiao Wu's doubts.

  "Listen up, those who fell off their horses retreat, those who didn't can go fill out the military service form, and those who want to serve leave your names behind." Chen Jiaotou instructed the recording clerk a few sentences before announcing the results.

  That group of recruits dispersed, those who passed the test went to fill out the enlistment forms with great enthusiasm, while those who were eliminated walked towards the gate with a dejected look. Only about ten "effective soldiers" remained standing in their original positions, but half of them were brought by Xiaowu's "dare-to-fight soldiers".

  Chen Jiaotou grasped his large spear and slowly walked over, scanning the dozen or so people before him. With an intimidating air, he lectured: "A 'useful' man is a fierce warrior who charges forward to meet the enemy head-on! What abilities do you have that you dare receive high pay? Never mind, I won't restrict your choice of weapon. As long as you can withstand three blows from me without falling off your horse, then you'll pass!"

  "Ptui, he's just eating feces." Xu Qing didn't understand and responded in a low voice.

  "Brother Xian, stop talking nonsense." Xiao Wu hurriedly reminded him in a low voice, and couldn't help but laugh.

  "This is bad, Chen Jiaotou is the invincible divine gun Chen Guang of the county, how can we withstand his three guns..." Almost at the same time, a whispering sound came from beside Xiao Wu's side, fortunately they just covered up Xu Qing's words.

  Chen Jiaotou stored these respectful words in his ears, feeling very pleased and becoming even more arrogant. Xiao Wu had also heard of Chen Guang's great reputation, furrowing his brow. If he was really as formidable as the rumors said, these three spears would be difficult to defend against, because they could only be blocked but not countered or dodged. Perhaps he himself still had some confidence, but this group of subordinates might find it hard to pass the test.

  "Hmph, how clever! Even if I were to be stabbed three times, whoever it is will still fall!" But from the crowd emerged a clear and cold laugh, without any concealment, intentionally wanting Chen Jiao Tou to hear.

  "Which one? Come out! Report your name!" Chen Jiaotou heard clearly, his face turned purple with rage, his short beard standing on end, he was truly furious.

  "A native of this land, I am Yang Zai Xing!" A black-robed young man stepped out from the crowd, with a sword-like brow, a knife-sharp face, an eagle-like nose, and a red "forehead band" tied on his head. His handsome appearance exuded a hint of unruliness, and his slightly delicate eyes gazed at Chen Jiao Tou, full of skepticism.

  A good material for a leader! Little Wu has a kind heart and is not afraid of the powerful. If he hadn't gradually matured and become more serious, with a group of followers behind him, he would have already spoken out against it.

  Wang Guizhen shook his head, this kid was too rash, offending the examiner, wasn't he asking for trouble? Even if he could pass, they wouldn't let him.

  "Yang Zai Xing? Good, good! This teacher will be the first to test you!" Chen Jiao Tou showed off his might, led a horse over, mounted it with a flip of his body, shook his spear and said "First take three spears from me!"

  "What's next?" Yang Zai Xing calmly and fearlessly whistled, "Hee-haw", a white horse came running over, its coat color slightly more mixed than Xiao Wu's little white horse, but equally spirited.

  Yang Zai Xing, however, did not step on the stirrup and instead patted the saddle with his hand. With a single leap, he was already steadily seated on the horseback. Some people secretly cheered, while Chen Jiao Tou curled his lips in disdain: "A mere show-off, useless in real battle! Fetch me my weapon!"

  "General Chen, please!" Yang Zai Xing took his spear in hand, which was also an iron spear, but with a cluster of crimson tassels on the spearhead, more than Xiao Wu's iron spear. He washed away his previous unruliness and made a fist and bowed, showing the respectful demeanor of a martial artist towards his opponent.

  "The little kid now knows fear, look at the gun!" Chen Jiaotou misunderstood and with a flourish shook his arms, sending the gunhead flying out in a myriad of plum blossoms, dazzling everyone's eyes and earning a burst of applause.

  Originally, Chen Jiaotou was just a mere figurehead. Xiao Wu let out a huge sigh of relief in his heart and whispered to Wang Gui while watching: "Tell the brothers from various families that later on, don't look at the gun head, only look at Chen Jiaotou's right hand; wherever his right hand points, block there."

  "Is it so easy?" Wang Gui exclaimed in surprise, and the situation on the field proved Xiao Wu's words.

  Only to see Chen Jiaotou's spear flashing in all directions, he stabbed out three times in a row, actually there were five or six stabs, all of which were parried by Yang Zaiying with his unchanging stance, one by one, not to mention falling off the horse, even the horse's hooves didn't move half an inch. The onlookers cheered and shouted continuously, without any more worries.

  Chen Jiaotou's face turned old, and he found an excuse to step down: "It turns out that Xiao Zhuangshi uses the Yang family gun, no wonder he dares to boast!"

  "Yang's spear, could Yang Xiaoge be a descendant of the old master Yang? No wonder, no wonder..." The crowd buzzed with discussion.

  "Is that so? I haven't even drawn my sword, yet Chen Jiaotou has already seen through me." Yang Zaixing neither confirmed nor denied it, and smiled slightly, "Since that's the case, then take a spear from me!"

  Yang Zai Xing said, his iron spear stabbed straightforwardly without any fancy moves, the speed was neither fast nor slow, the only unusual thing was that the red tassel on the spear suddenly rose without any wind.

  Chen Jiaotou looked at the gun handed over, his face changed, "Ah" and turned over to get off the horse. Another lazy donkey rolled over and got up, covered in dust, shouting: "Rebellion! Rebellion! How dare you plot against the examiner..."

  The onlookers couldn't help but want to laugh, yet no one could bring themselves to do so, because everyone saw clearly that Yang Zai's gun had only been handed over halfway before it stopped, without even touching the corner of his clothes, and yet Chen Jiao fell off his horse by himself, truly beyond comprehension.

  The small official who was recording spoke fairly and reminded him: "Constable Chen, his gun hasn't even approached you yet."

  "Oh, is that so? How did the head of the Chen family fall off his horse? It's witchcraft, it must be witchcraft! Quickly get this wicked person out of here!" The head of the Chen family rolled his eyes and became enraged.

  "With such an examiner, I'd rather not join the army!" Yang Zai Xing threw out this sentence, patted his horse and left directly.

  Xiao Wu sighed silently, what a pity that such a talented young man was chased away by this flower gun examiner. How could the official army become powerful? Yang Zai Xing's single spear move was only understood by him, its momentum was like a rainbow, just like the madman he met in Beiguo, emitting a strong killing intent. Chen Jiao Tou, on the other hand, was like a startled small beast, falling off his horse was purely an instinctive reaction of self-protection. Xiao Wu thought to himself that his own spear technique was far from reaching this level, Yang Zai Xing's age was only slightly younger than him, but he didn't know how he had practiced it, perhaps he was indeed the descendant of Yang Lao Lian Gong and inherited the essence of the Yang family's gun technique.

  Perhaps Chen was really frightened by Yang Zai's shot, and in the subsequent examination, Chen was always nervous. Among these "effective soldiers" who joined the army, only a few passed the test and filled out the enlistment form. Xiao Wu also put on the crimson battle robe he had admired for the first time and officially became a member of the Song Dynasty's official army.

  A dozen or so new "effective soldiers" changed into new military uniforms, received their first month's salary, and then came to the tattoo shed together. The tattoo artist tattooed the words "Pingding Military Guangrui Military Effective Use" on their tiger mouths according to the flower name book. They were assigned to the Pingding Military Garrison of the Hedong Road - under the banner of the Guangrui Military.

  After leaving the small school grounds, this group of new and old comrades found a tea hotel, joined forces to eat, and became "useful scholars" who didn't need to show their faces, no less than Confucian scholars, each and every one beaming with joy. The shopkeeper also tactfully sent over a jar of wine.

  Zhao Huzi and several other "dare to fight" veterans called Xiao Wu "General Yue's officer" in unison, which made a few new comrades ask the reason. Wang Gui, Xu Qing, and Zhang Xian, who had the intention of establishing Xiao Wu's prestige, once again told the story of the Battle of Yan, and this time, Xiao Wu couldn't help but become an implicit leader.

  Then, everyone returned home to pack their bags and prepare to set off with their families. According to the military recruitment system of the Song Dynasty, soldiers' families could follow them, and the army not only supported the soldiers but also provided for their wives and children.

  At this time, the happiest person in the Yue family was Liu Wei, the wife of Xiao Wu. She had always been busy with household chores and was finally able to live a relaxed life again. And Xiao Wu also took a solid step towards his lifelong ambition from then on.